Top cops in state can no longer take transfer decisions

In a decision that will ruffle the feathers of top Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in Maharashtra, the state home department has taken away the power of the state police chief and Mumbai police commissioner to transfer their juniors.

In a decision that will ruffle the feathers of top Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in Maharashtra, the state home department has taken away the power of the state police chief and Mumbai police commissioner to transfer their juniors.

The July 30 government resolution states: "The power of transfers of posts of police inspectors, assistant police inspector and sub-inspectors, which were given to the deputy inspector general of police in rest of Maharashtra and to Mumbai police commissioner in case of Mumbai on August 28, 2006, stands withdrawn."

There is no word in the GR about police officials at other levels. Now, the power to make transfers rests with home minister, RR Patil, and additional chief secretary (home), Amitabh Rajan.

The decision, which will impact the hold senior officials have over their subordinates, is said to have been triggered by the large number of complaints over recent transfers, the growing number of cases with the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal and infighting in the police force.